Wednesday daily sheep summary

Lamb throughput at Forbes decreased 24% this week, to 24,700 head. Quality slipped across most categories, with a larger percentage of plainer lambs penned, along with a few well finished lots. Heavy and extra heavy weights made up the majority, with the usual buyers competing in a firm to slightly dearer market.

Mutton numbers declined 39%, to 4,150 head. Quality was very mixed, with conditions holding firm throughout most weights and grades.

• Light weight 3 score Merino lambs averaged 608¢, back 4¢/kg cwt
• Trade weight 4 score lambs to processors were up 5¢, to 637¢/kg cwt
• Heavy weight 4 score lambs averaged 3¢ lower, at 628¢/kg cwt
• Medium weight 3 score Merino ewes were up 22¢, to 403¢/kg cwt

At Ballarat, lamb consignments declined 25%, to 7,237 head. The usual buying group operated in what was a mixed quality offering week-on-week, with most categories trending dearer overall.

Mutton throughput increased significantly this week, to 3,896 head. All weights and grades were represented, with shorn Merinos well represented.

• Light weight 2 score lambs to processors averaged 553¢, up 16¢/kg cwt
• Trade weight 4 score lambs to processors were up 15¢, at 674¢/kg cwt
• Light weight 2 score Merino ewes eased 7¢, averaging 366¢/kg cwt

At the close of Tuesday’s markets:

• The eastern states restocker lamb indicator averaged 548¢, up 21¢/kg cwt from where it finished the previous day
• Merino lambs were back 3¢, on 558¢/kg cwt
• Light lambs were up 9¢, to 555¢/kg cwt
• Trade lambs were up 9¢, on 621¢/kg cwt
• Heavy lambs were up 3¢, to 631¢/kg cwt
• The mutton indicator gained 2¢, on 384¢/kg cwt

For the full list of sheep market reports, please click here                                                 

Note: All yardings and prices referenced are from MLA reported saleyards.